Cheerleading with Edith

Edith (front right) cheering with friends on Game Day!

I like cheerleading because it is fun to learn new cheers. When I go to cheer, it brings back good memories of other cheer and dance classes. I also like to cheer because I am able to meet new people.

Our cheer practice includes stretching so we do not get hurt or pull any muscles. Next, we work on both new cheers and old cheers, and then we work on stunts so they are solid. We also work on our dance so it is clean when we perform it for our fans at games. Finally, we do the entire dance and cheer together.

Games days are when we all put on our uniforms to perform at home sports games. Before we go out on the floor, we do a little chant. We also warm up before we perform for the fans at halftime during basketball and football games.

Here is our practice schedule to get us ready for game day:

1. Stretch and conditioning
   

   Cheer picture day with dog Tenor!

   1. Run three leaps around track
   2. Do arm, shoulder, and leg stretches until warm
2. Practice cheer or learn a new cheer
   1. Work on keeping motions tight
   2. Use signs in the cheer
3. Practice jumps
   1. T-jump drill
   2. Toe touch jump
   3. Star jump
4. Practice stunts (check out a video of my team working on our stunts here!)
   1. Thigh stands
   2. Thigh stand- liberty
   3. Preps
   4. Extended liberty
5. Review cheer routine and practice performing cheer routine
   1. Get ready for game day performance
6. Game Day performance
   1. Smile and have fun!

 

Whether you have been cheering for years or are just taking up this sport, I hope that these tips and my practice schedule can help you improve your skills! What is your favorite part of cheering?

Finding Empowerment By Taking the Stage

Excitement rippled through the room when my Girl Scout troop leaders announced that the theme of the district-wide talent show would be a salute to women, or “girl power.” This was a popular idea when I was young, largely because the Spice Girls, who used it as one of their catchphrases, were incredibly famous at the time. However, as much as I loved the Spice Girls, “girl power” held a deeper meaning for me. I was born with a physical disability called Larsen syndrome, so, at barely eight years old, I was already aware that being a woman with a disability is all too often viewed as a double disadvantage by society. I wanted to do my part to change that and to prove that, even as a young girl, there was power within me.

The talent show presented the perfect opportunity to let out my budding voice for advocacy. I can still remember the feeling of words taking shape in my mind as I thought about the message I wanted to share with the audience. Then, one evening, I sat in my room and wrote my thoughts down until they became lyrics to a song that I titled “I’m a Girl.” It begins: “I’m a girl / Watch me dream / One day I’ll be what I wanna be / And nobody in the world can stop me. / I stand proud, I stand strong / And I will live through right and wrong.” As the song continues, I express gratitude for amazing female role models including Susan B. Anthony and Oprah Winfrey. I also assert that girls have the potential to grow up and do anything they set their minds to, from being a carpenter, to a baseball player, to President. (Hey, I dreamed big!)

When the night of the talent show arrived, I was a ball of energy and nerves. I had never performed anything in front of an audience before, let alone something I had written. But, even though I was quite young, I knew that in my own small way, I was contributing my voice to two causes I believed in – women’s rights and disability rights. So, when it was my turn to sing my solo, I looked deep inside myself and called on all the confidence I had. Then, I got on stage and sang my heart out. Today, as I look back on this experience, I realize it was just the beginning of my lifelong journey focused on taking pride in who I am.

I’m 22 years old now, but the message I want to share remains the same as it was so many years ago during the talent show. Neither disability nor being female is a weakness; girls and women of all abilities and ages have the right to feel empowered. I always remind myself that one person has the power to make changes in society, and, together, the positive impact we can have on the rights of women with disabilities can be incredible. By embracing confidence and taking the stage, we can show the world that being disabled and being female are not what make us weak, but rather what make us strong and unstoppable.

– Emily Ladau, WordsIWheelBy.com

Special thanks to our guest blogger, Emily Ladau, for this post! Emily is a passionate disability rights advocate whose career began at the age of 10, when she appeared on several episodes of Sesame Street to educate children about her life with a physical disability. In the years that followed, Emily took on leadership roles in many advocacy initiatives. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English from Adelphi University. Immediately after graduation, Emily was selected to participate in the prestigious American Association of People with Disabilities internship program based in Washington, D.C. Since completing her internship in August 2013, Emily has been both employed and volunteering with multiple organizations to foster opportunities and develop resources for disability community, as well as to encourage people with all types of disabilities to develop their inner voice for advocacy.

Emily blogs at Words I Wheel By about her experiences as a disabled young adult, challenging people to consider all aspects of the disability experience in new ways. She loves forming new connections and invites you to connect with her via Words I Wheel By on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @emily_ladau.

May 21st: Celebrate the Past, Present, and Future of Miss Amazing

The first Miss Amazing Pageant was held in 2007 in a small youth center with 15 participants. Little did anyone know that this event would blossom into a non-profit organization that coordinates Miss Amazing Pageants in 25 states and produces new media initiatives like the Real Girl Series. Where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going to go- it is all thanks to the people who have given so much time and passion to the Miss Amazing mission and we need a day to celebrate that. Tomorrow is that day.

May 21st, midnight to midnight, we’re honoring all of the Miss Amazing Pageant participants for believing wholeheartedly that their abilities are limitless, vast, and amazing. We’re applauding the friends, family members, and community supporters in the audience at the Miss Amazing Pageants. We’re thanking the sponsors who value the abilities of all people. We’re commending the volunteers for their dedication to a better world. Here are all of the ways that we will be celebrating:

1. Starting at midnight, we will be calling all Miss Amazing enthusiasts to support Miss Amazing programs through Omaha Gives, which is a 24 hour charitable giving challenge that celebrates nonprofits headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. This giving challenge is fantastic because it gives Miss Amazing the chance to receive a matching donation and other bonuses! So cool! You can donate securely online at omahagives24.org. If you are unable to give to Miss Amazing tomorrow, have no fear! You can support Miss Amazing by spreading the word and cheering us on.
2. On every even hour starting at 12 am, we will post a highlight on our Facebook page of a Miss Amazing Pageant participant who has made an impact in her community.
3. On every odd hour starting at 1 am, we will post a highlight on our Facebook page of a Miss Amazing Pageant volunteer who has been exceptionally hard-working and positive.
4. At 12 pm, 4 pm, and 8 pm, we will be randomly choosing one person who has liked our hourly Facebook posts to receive a piece of Miss Amazing Inc. merchandise.

We are looking forward to celebrating the past, present, and future of Miss Amazing with you! Whether you contribute through the Omaha Gives website or share information through your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram account, you can honor what we’ve accomplished and assist us in making an even bigger impact.

Continuing the Graduation Celebration!

On Friday night, a bunch of my friends came down from school and took me out to dinner at the Spaghetti Factory to celebrate my graduation. At first, it took us forever to get in, because we couldn’t find a ramp for my wheelchair and the cobble stones made it extra bumpy. Fortunately, my friends and I found humor in the situation; it is all part of the adventure of being in downtown Saint Louis! Dinner was amazing, and it was so great to catch up with everyone. It meant the world to me that they came all the way from Edwardsville just to take me out to dinner and help me celebrate! After dinner, I was supposed to go home, but we got a little lost because of all the construction. We decided that I would just go home with my friends in Edwardsville and spend the night there; I was so excited for our sleepover, and, while I was there, I also was able to help dog-sit! It was actually very convenient, as I was planning to be in Edwardsville the next day anyway, because my parents and I were taking my professor and his wife out to dinner to thank him for being such a great mentor and to celebrate my graduation. My first weekend as a college graduate was great!

Make Your Own Chick in the Cup!

Spring has sprung, and, just in time, our crafting expert, Bailey, is back to teach you how to make one of her favorite crafts, Chick in the Cup!

Supplies Needed:

• 1 clear plastic cup
• 1 toilet paper roll
• Shredded, crinkled brown paper
• Yellow tissue paper
• Orange construction paper
• Tape
• Scissors
• Black marker

Step One:  Fill the clear plastic cup with the shredded brown paper and set aside.

Step Two: Cut the toilet paper roll in half to make it shorter.

Step Three: Cut the yellow tissue paper in a straight line, making a rectangle that is slightly taller than the toilet paper roll and long enough to wrap around it.

Step Four: Tape one edge of the yellow tissue paper to the toilet paper roll. Finish rolling it up and tape it at the other end, also.

Step Five: Tuck the extra tissue paper into the top and bottom of the toilet paper roll.

Step Six: Cut a triangle shape out of the orange construction paper for the beak, and tape or glue it onto the toilet paper roll.

Step Seven: Use a black marker to draw on the chick’s eyes.

Step Eight: Get the yellow tissue paper back out, and cut out two wings and some hair for your chick. The clue is to crumple the tissue paper up and mess with it to get your wings to look how you want them to look. Stick the chick’s hair in the top of toilet paper tube, and tape the wings to the sides.

Step Nine: Stick your chick into the cup!

 I hope you had fun making this craft; I sure did!

Celebrating Heather: Part 2

As I have sat and thought about what to write about the life of my daughter, Heather McLean, I am overwhelmed at all the thoughts that come to mind. How can I possibly put into words how magnificently she lived life?

The first time I tried to write, I was overwhelmed with emotions and just couldn’t do it. I took a break and walked outside and sat on my porch. The moment I sat, a beautiful hummingbird came looking for her feeder; she just fluttered right in front of me. That was a gift to me. I was sent that hummingbird, that was a message, “Mom, I’m alright, I’m with Jesus now.” I can’t even begin to tell you the Peace that washed over me.

During her first 5 years, it seemed as though she could not stay out of the hospital. It was our second home back then. Thank God for the Ronald McDonald House! When she was 5, I had taken her to the doctor, as something just wasn’t right. At that age, she was the tiniest of all her classmates. She was still the same size as she was at 2. I took her baby book in as reference. At that point, the doctor referred her to a specialist. She had been diagnosed at 6 months with Optic nerve hypoplasia, which means her optic nerves did not develop. We were told she was blind and given a list of all the things she would NEVER do, but she did everything on that list (except drive a car, but she could sure drive the golf cart!) The endocrinologist diagnosed her with septo-optic dysplasia, or DeMorsier’s Syndrome.

Heather was also developmentally delayed. At 25, she still had the heart of a child. Pure. Innocent. Genuine. Heather had dreamed of being a missionary since she was a little girl, but she thought she could never do the work because she couldn’t go to a third world country. I told her she could be a missionary right here at home, and she did just that.

Heather was crowned the first North Carolina “Miss” Miss Amazing Queen in 2013. She wore her crown and sash with pride, and she used that platform to show the love of Jesus. Her face that night when she was told she was queen was priceless. She earned that crown! She enjoyed Nationals so very much. Though we initially thought it would be impossible for us to make it to Nationals, I am thankful for the bad situation, because, had it not happened, the four of us would not have attended. God gave us an incredible experience with Heather, days that we will never forget. It was a truly special, amazing experience that we will cherish forever. Because of the situation, Heather chose to sing “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless for the talent showcase. She knew Faith was all we had to get there, and Faith was enough!!

During her reign as a Miss Amazing queen, Heather organized two events. The first, Warm Hearts, was for local children, and she collected items such as gloves, mittens, and scarves to help keep them warm. She also organized Stockings of Love for the Lewis Rathbun House, which is much like the Ronald McDonald house, in Asheville for the families in the house who had loved ones in the hospital at Christmas. We know what it is like to be away from home and family and friends during the holidays, so she wanted to do something special to show them they were not forgotten. She was also invited to be the Grand Marshal of our hometown parade, which was an amazing experience for her.  When she rode through town and they made the announcement that she was the Grand Marshal, the cheers and clapping began. I remember Kristie telling me, “She leaned down and said, ‘They are doing that for ME??’” Yes, my precious, they did that for you! When she got to where we were, as her Mother, my heart swelled with love, seeing her smile and her glow. I did not want that moment to end for her. As we hollered and waved and clapped for her, I gathered the children with me and we began running along with the car yelling her name to see her smile. We ran to the end.

Heather’s desire in life was to help people. It didn’t matter how; she would help through a kind word, encouragement, an offer to pray for you, or those awesomely wonderful hugs she gave! She was the best hug giver in the world! Heather loved with all of her heart. She forgave with all of her heart. Heather’s life wasn’t easy, physically or emotionally . People made fun of her. People took advantage of her. People tried to exploit her. I will never forget the day when she was in third grade and she came home in tears, as kids were making fun of her. She knew I got upset and said to me words I will never forget, “Mom, it’s okay, because I forgive them.” She had a heart of forgiveness. It didn’t matter what you did or didn’t do, she forgave quickly and completely. She loved completely and unconditionally. She never gave up on people.

I have started Heather’s Faith Fund. I don’t want her to be forgotten. I know the life she lived will continue to touch souls for Jesus. This is being done to honor and remember all she was and all she did. I want to continue her legacy of “What Faith CAN Do!” We will continue to honor her through helping other people. The first thing we have done is raising the funds to cover all of the North Carolina Queens’ registration fee for Nationals. We raised the $600.00 in one week! Thank you Lord!! We will do our best to see to it that all 6 Queens make it to Nationals!! I would also like to be there, in her memory.

Heather passed just two weeks before she was to crown the next queen. So close. I was given the honor of crowning the new queen, Miss Leann Huff, who happened to be one of Heather’s very best friends. It was truly an honor to do that. Kristie did a beautiful job memorializing Heather. Her song “What Faith Can Do” was sung by Kristie’s mother and brother. It was emotional but oh, so beautiful. The NC Miss Amazing will be offering a scholarship in Heather’s memory to a Murphy High Senior. Isn’t that awesome!? Most people pass away at their lowest, sick and diseased. But Heather passed away at her highest! This last year was her best year ever! I am so thankful for that. Although we experience the sting of death, we have also been blessed beyond measure. Yes, blessings abound even through death.  Yes, God is still good, even through death. Yes, God comforts us, even through death.

I would like to pose a challenge to whomever reads this… If you haven’t gotten to know someone who is different,  go get to know them! These special children, young adults, and grown people have more to offer than you could ever imagine. It would bless you tremendously if you invested just a small amount of time with someone different. It can get very lonely being different. People are afraid of what to say. Don’t be. Just go talk to them like you would anyone else. You will ignite a glow in them that will ultimately bless you. Go get blessed!!! Go…. I promise you won’t regret it!

I’ll leave you with Heather’s famous words:

“Everybody IS Somebody; We ALL Matter.”

Lovingly written by Tracey McLean

Mother of Heather McLean, North Carolina’s First Miss Amazing “Miss” Queen 2013

~ October 24, 1988 – March 22, 2014 ~

Celebrating Heather

Some of you may have had the pleasure of meeting Heather McLean, a Miss Amazing Queen from North Carolina who passed away unexpectedly in March. For those who are grieving as they remember this amazing young lady and for those who did not get the opportunity to meet her alike, Miss Amazing North Carolina State Director Kristie Oliver shares some of her favorite memories of Heather:

“I have known Heather for several years. I first met her and her family when they moved to NC from FL. They started attending the church that my father pastored. From day one, Heather became a huge part of my life. She just had this personality that drew everyone that she met to her. She never met a stranger, and she had no hate toward anyone. She had such a pure, loving soul. She was so excited when I announced that I had become the State Director for North Carolina and, without hesitation, wanted to sign up to participate in the Miss Amazing pageant. Her dream was to be a missionary, and she hoped that participating in the pageant would enable her to possibly do just that. She charmed the judges in 2013 and was crowned the NC Miss Amazing Miss division queen. This whole last year, she truly shined in all she did, including the National Pageant. She was selected by our hometown of Murphy to be the Grand Marshal at the 2013 Christmas parade. As we lead the parade, people on both sides of the streets cheered on her on, screaming her name and clapping. She grabbed my hand and, with huge tears in her eyes, said “Kristie, are they really cheering for me? They are cheering for me!!!” It is a moment in time I will never forget. That one moment was her true defining time. She never really understood the impact she made on all those around her until then. To have been able to share in that defining moment is something I will cherish forever. Just a few days before her passing, she sent me a message telling me she had to do some shopping for a new dress for the 2014 pageant. Words cannot describe how I felt when I got the call that she had passed a few Saturdays ago. My heart seriously hurt. I still can’t grasp that she is gone. Taken at such a young age, she did more in her short life then most of us will ever do. She did her work on earth that God wanted her to do, and she is greatly being rewarded for it now. I miss her. I miss her 1am or 2am Facebook messages just saying hi. She was truly an inspiration to me in many ways.”

Heather truly wore her Miss Amazing crown with grace, poise, and confidence. Please feel free to share your favorite Heather memories, moments, and stories in the comment section to continue honoring and celebrating the life of this amazing young lady.

Crafting with Bailey

I am a big fan of making crafts and of Indy Car racing, so I make a lot of crafts for the Indy Car drivers. Some of my favorite crafts to make are:

1. Key Chains: I put the racer’s name and two colored beads.
2. Picture Frames: I decorate picture frames with foam letters, spelling out the name of the driver and telling them that they rock!
3. Guitars: These are really easy. All you need is cardboard cutout in the shape of a guitar to decorate, which you can find at Hobby Lobby or any other craft store.
4. Foam Fingers: These are also simple to make. You just buy the foam finger at a craft store, and then put the racer’s name on it, along with whatever else you like. I add hearts and their car numbers.
5. Visors: I just add the name of their team to these!
6. Door Hangers: I start with the racer’s name, and, to finish them up, add some pretty hearts and write “You Rock!”
7. Bracelets: On these, I put the racer’s name and other beads- that match the colors of their car, of course!
8. Necklaces: Made just like bracelets, just with more beads.

I like to make crafts for the Indy Car drivers because I feel like they deserve something special for always being great to all the fans. If they have a bad race weekend, they can go get that craft that I made for them, and that will cheer them up. It’s even better when I give one of my crafts to them on a day when they didn’t do well in the qualifying or practices races. When I make these crafts, I don’t want anything in return. I just love making the crafts for the Indy Car drivers because it makes me feel good inside and makes me happy to see them smile when I give the crafts to them.

I am always excited to see a driver I have made crafts for before! One driver, Josef Newgarden, who races for Team Sarah Heartland Racing, said he has all the crafts that I have made for him in his locker. That made me very happy. Anders Krohn, another racer, is always wearing the bracelet I made for him whenever I am around at the racetracks. Some of the drivers, like my dear friend Martin Plowman, put their car keys on the key chains I have made for them.  One of my very best friends, the late Dan Wheldon, always put his key chains from me on his scooters at the racetracks and always wore the bracelet that I made him- he never wanted to take it off! Sebastian Saaverda keeps my crafts with him on the road as his good luck charms, and Chandler Horton, a very dear friend of mine, has his crafts from me proudly displayed in his home.

              

Bailey with (left to right) the late racer Dan Wheldon, racer Josef Newgarden (and the guitar she made for him), and racer Sebastian Saaverda

I have been making these crafts for as long as I can remember, and I always enjoy making them, almost as much as the drivers enjoy receiving them! I never like to leave anyone out, so I even make crafts for the new drivers. Every one of those drivers has a Bailey craft! They always look forward to the month of May, when I give them out. Crafts make me feel happy. Making them is almost like my second job! I love to make crafts for these special Indy Car drivers, and I am always excited to give them away!

What are your favorite kinds of crafts to make?

Last week on Thursday, February 27th, Temple Grandin came to my school and guest spoke. To this day she is known as one of the most successful people in the world who has autism. She is a college professor and has her Ph.D. She has made strides in the autism community and has really helped the way farm animals are treated, particularly cows. You can take a look at her TED talk below!

At the talk I was in the first row, so I could see her. Shortly before the talk started, Temple sat right next to me and started talking to me. I couldn’t believe it! We ended up talking for 10 minutes before she had to go on stage. She asked me about my cerebral palsy and how it affects me, and asked me about my learning disabilities. She asked me what my major was in school and what I wanted to do with it. She said to make sure to do something I like and am good at doing. I told her about my loves for country music and pubic relations and how I also want to write a book and do some motivational speaking. She said I definitely need to go into PR and she said that I’m a great speaker!

When she first started her talk, she actually started talking about the conversation her and I had! During her talk, she spoke a lot about how she grew up with autism and what some of her research has found.   After the talk, I was able to get my book signed and picture taken with her. Did I mention she has an Emmy award-winning movie made after her?! She is one of the most extraordinary women I’ve ever met!